Category: Dublin

There will be a public meeting held on Thursday next, 2nd March, in the Park Hotel, Clonmel at 20:00.

The meeting is organised by Dermot O’Leary of the NBRU to discuss the proposed closure of the Bus Éireann service between Dublin and Clonmel.

Councillors, TD’s, and the public are welcome.

It is hoped that Labour Councillor Maurice Shorthall will attend, and outline the unfortunate experiences of Castlecomer, Co Kilkenny, when their service was curtailed. A director of Bus Éireann is also expected to attend.

Sinn Féin Spokesperson for Transport ,Imelda Munster TD, has today criticised Bus Éireann management for their approach to talks with transport unions in the Workplace Relations Commission on the matter of the crisis in Bus Éireann’s Expressway service.

Deputy Munster said:

“Bus Éireann management did not act in good faith when they sent out provocative correspondence to the workers threatening job losses, pay cuts and changes to terms and conditions on the day that talks were to commence. This is not how talks should be conducted, in what is already a tense environment. We have to ask if this was a deliberate move to destabilize the talks.”

“There are many issues at the forefront of these negotiations, and the number 1 issue is bad policy and decision-making by government and the NTA in relation to over-saturation of profitable routes.”

“How could they not have foreseen that financial loss was inevitable following a policy of oversaturation of certain routes. It’s unacceptable that their primary target now is the workers with no resolve to correct the bad policies.”

“The first thing Bus Éireann management need to do, if they are sincere and genuine about preserving and protecting our public transport network, is to carry out a full review of all licences issued on intercity and rural to urban routes.”

“The government needs to play a part in this too. It’s absurd to think that this can be resolved without government participation, and an admission and re-examination of past policy failures.”

Speaking in Leinster House today, Sinn Féin’s Agriculture spokesperson, Martin Kenny TD, has said that the measures introduced by Minister Michael Creed on the National Reserve were welcome, but do not go far enough.

Deputy Kenny said:

“While I am glad that, at last, the Minister has done something to help young farmers and new entrants to farming for 2017, after leaving them in the lurch last year, these measures do not go far enough to resolve the situation.

“However, €5 million is not enough to deal with the backlog of young farmers who have completed or who are now trying to complete green cert training and who will be seeking entitlements soon.”

Sinn Féin President Gerry Adams has welcomed the “belated U-turn by Fianna Fail leader Micheál Martin on the scrapping of water charges and the need for a Commission of Investigation into NAMA’s sell-off of its northern loan book – Project Eagle.” Micheál Martin made these announcements on Morning Ireland today.

Gerry Adams said: “While Micheál Martin’s conversions to the scrapping of water charges and a Commission of investigation into NAMA’s Project Eagle are to be welcomed the fact is there have been months of delay in dealing with NAMA because Fianna Fáil blocked it.

“Teachta Martin’s assertion that new information has emerged in respect of Project Eagle is not credible. I understand he was briefed by Teachta Wallace. I spoke to the Fianna Fáil leader on a number of occasions and also wrote to him.

“It is obvious that this is a cynical political manoeuvre. It is in fact Fianna Fáil clearing the decks for any general election contest. It makes a mockery of any assertion of new politics.

“All of this is in keeping with Fianna Fáil’s repositioning on water charges; on bin charges; on the National Monument in Moore Street; on rent certainty; and their support for not taking the Apple billions.

“Of course all of this politicking should not distract from the core issue; there can be no doubt that shortcomings and irregularities have cost the taxpayers billions which could have been used to pay for essential public services.

“I repeat Sinn Féin’s demand for a Commission of Investigation into the sale of Project Eagle.”

Sinn Féin Deputy Leader, Mary Lou McDonald TD has said it is time for new, progressive politics in Ireland. She was speaking at the launch of a reminder campaign about Labour’s record which was attended by Sinn Féin’s Tipperary General Election candidate Cllr. Séamie Morris.

Deputy McDonald has criticised the Labour Party’s record in government, highlighting the litany of broken electoral promises in their wake and putting forward Sinn Féin’s vision backed by credible and costed policies, as a real alternative.

Deputy McDonald said: “The Labour Party have no substance. They betrayed their founding principles as they rolled over to Fine Gael and lost all credibility. Whatever promises they make now is too late – they have lost the trust of the electorate.

“Sinn Féin won’t be a mudguard like Labour – propping up a conservative government and a Tory agenda, favouring the wealthy in society. We believe in equality and will not compromise the cornerstones of democracy in order to blag our way into government.

“It is time for new, progressive politics in Ireland and Sinn Féin is leading the charge to lead a new government under the Rigth2Change Principles. We have outlined our vision back by clear, comprehensive, costed and deliverable policies.

“The list of broken Labour promises is so long, I don’t know where to begin. Five years ago they promised to oppose the water charges. Lo and behold, the water tax was introduced and hundreds of millions wasted on unused meters and consultants fees.

“The Labour Party promised not to increase third level fees and they increased them from €2,000 to €3,000. They cut the Back to School Clothing and Footwear Allowance three budgets in a row. They cut capitation grants for schools. They cut supports for children with special needs.

“The Labour Party promised to end cronyism. Instead they broke the pay cap for their special advisors and nominated key party people, like David Begg, to State Board positions, flouting normal procedures and absolutely contradicting their manifesto. So much for transparency and a democratic revolution.

“The Labour party also cut key social supports – slashed job seekers allowance and forced hundreds of thousands of young people to leave the country.

“The Labour Party are once again bending over backwards trying to win votes on promises that they will not honour. Their track record in the past speaks for itself. Sinn Féin will not make promises we cannot keep and we will deliver on the promises that we have made.”

Sinn Féin Leader, Gerry Adams TD, this morning addressed Sinn Féin’s major national policy conference, held to help inform upcoming policy documents on housing, healthcare and childcare. Full speech below.

A chairde.

The front pages of our newspapers and almost every radio and tv news and debate have been dominated by speculation about the date of the General Election.

This is an obsession of journalists and political insiders.

Such speculation is part of the game-playing which has been a substitute for real political debate in this state for too long.

It suits some because it distracts from the real issues which are affecting so many families at this time and deepens the disillusionment with politics that is now widespread.

The Taoiseach’s refusal to deal with the issue and the obvious discomfiture of Joan Burton exposes this government as a coalition of chaos.

Mr. Kenny’s focus is on how many seats Fine Gael will win to ensure his re-election as Taoiseach.

Kenny is not being straight with the Tánaiste.

That is hardly surprising as he wasn’t straight with the electorate and has broken every commitment he made after his government was formed.

The chaos and crisis that Fine Gael and Labour have brought to this state is reflected in their approach to the north.

This Government inherited the peace process and the end of conflict in the north.

Since the government came to power progress in the north has not been a priority and their policy is dictated by Fine Gael and Labour opposition to Sinn Féin.

The Taoiseach failed to uphold the agreements. He has failed to challenge the British government on their refusal to provide information on Dublin and Monaghan or to develop a strategy to secure this. Agreements have stalled and unpicked.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste have supported the Tory party cuts to welfare and to public services. They supported them because it is their policy in this state.

This government is partitionist. Austerity is not.

The Taoiseach and Tánaiste need to be on the side of the Good Friday and other Agreements. Progress can be made, but we need the Irish Government to make the north a priority.

In this state Michael McGrath of Fianna Fáil was right when he said that the government had adopted Fianna Fáil policy on the economy.

What he failed to say was they also adopted Fianna Fáil policy on health and have sustained the chaos in our health services, as well as in housing, emigration and education.

Sinn Féin is presenting thoughtful, costed and effective alternative policies to tackle the issues this government has failed to resolve and in many instances has made worse.

In the battle of ideas Sinn Féin is proposing policy choices for citizens that are rooted in our republican principles of fairness and equality and inclusiveness and which are drawn from the Proclamation – the mission statement of modern Irish republicanism.

In this election republicans should be outlining what kind of society we wish to build and what a real recovery should look like.

We believe that citizens are entitled to secure jobs with decent pay and conditions; adequate housing and quality public services.

That belief and that vision is what must guide the important task of policy development.

The current crises in health and housing are not an accident.

They are a direct result of government policy.

And let’s not forget that those people lying on trolleys in A&E wards are our own family members, our neighbours our friends.

They are not aliens dropped from outer space.

They are us.

So too are those households in mortgage distress.

And those citizens who are homeless.

They also are us.

Just like the half a million citizens scattered across the globe as a result of Fianna Fáil, Fine Gael and Labour emigration policy.

Society has become increasingly polarised and unequal after almost five years of Fine Gael and Labour in government.

Sinn Féin wants to change this; to correct this.

Sinn Féin believes that an equal society is possible.

Creideann Sinn Féin go láidir gur féidir sochaí atá cóir a chrithú.

We believe that cronyism and greed can be replaced with fairness and hope.

Sinn Fein wants to be in government to improve the quality of life for families.

We want to deliver progress on jobs, housing and health.

Sinn Féin is not a debating society. We are very, very serious about achieving these objectives.

To do that means being in government with a programme for government which advances this agenda.

Before we get to that point however, we must have a coherent, realistic and robust policy platform.

Fine Gael and Labour are now perpetuating a lie that it is possible to reduce the overall tax take while increasing investment in frontline services.

This approach means that high-earners will be the winners while average families and those citizens most dependent on public services will lose out yet again.

Sinn Féin’s policy alternative offers a different way. A better way.

Ours is a route to a fair recovery.

We want to ease the tax burden on workers and families.

We would do this by tackling unfair tax reliefs and asking those in the top 5% who earn the most to pay their fair share.

With rural communities fearful of rising crime Sinn Féin would recruit over 1000 new Gardaí next year to protect local communities.

On Thursday, as we published our alternative budget Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda had the largest trolley numbers in its emergency department in the state.

This then almost doubled by late evening forcing the hospital to go ‘off-call’ temporarily and stop taking patients.

These difficulties and many more are a response to the government’s austerity policies which have seen Garda numbers cut, Garda stations closed and our health service unable to cope with the demands being placed upon it.

Sinn Féin proposes to invest in public expenditure prioritising health, education and childcare and delivering more Gardaí, nurses, midwives, and teachers.

Sinn Féin will put between €600 and €2,000 back into the pockets of the average worker.

This is the type of tax reform that makes a real difference to families and society as opposed to the cynical auction politics of the conservative parties.

We would do this by abolishing the family home tax, stopping domestic water charges and removing minimum wage workers out of the USC.

To develop the type of fair, just and prosperous society which Sinn Féin advocates, we need a strong economy.

Sinn Féin is pro-business.

We believe that a strong economy, including a thriving enterprise sector, is essential to sustain decent, accessible public services and to protect vulnerable citizens.

Sinn Féin believes that we must support and encourage entrepreneurs, and in particular to support SMEs.

Agus anois tá na polasaithe againn chun seo uilig a chur i gcrích.

They include the introduction of a self-employed tax credit, the provision of seed capital and other measures.

Sinn Féin’s proposals would increase funding to build social houses, to tackle the homeless crisis, and to make capital investment of €400 million to grow the economy.

Our policies and proposals are firmly grounded in the republican principles of fairness and equality.

Anois tá sé in am dúinn geilleagar uile-oileánda a thógáil.

It makes no sense on a small island to have two currencies, two tax systems and two sets of public services.

Sinn Féin wants to see the beginning of a planned approach to economic development across the island.

We need to see greater all-Ireland co-operation within public services, greater support for small and medium businesses, and the creation of a Border Economic Development Zone to harmonise trade.

The Taoiseach has characterised the forthcoming election as a choice between stability and chaos.

But there is no stability for low paid workers or those on zero-hour contracts.

There is no stability for those patients and frontline workers facing chaos in our hospital A&E departments.

There is no stability for those families facing the prospect of losing their home because the Government refuses to put manners on the banks.

This Government’s idea of stability is very different to most citizens.

Their notion of stability is the maintenance of a deeply unequal status quo.

That is not the stability our people need or want.

If the Taoiseach really believes what he says, he should have the courage of his convictions and allow citizens to make the choice.

Mr Kenny should stop the game-playing of recent days, resign and call a General Election now.

Sinn Féin is ready.

We are confident that our policies will stand up to scrutiny.

We are eager for a genuine battle of ideas.

Some combination of Fine Gael, Labour and Fianna Fáil has been in government here since the foundation of that State.

But the political landscape is changing and Sinn Féin is leading that change.

We want to continue that change by leading the next Government.

Sinn Féin’s message is finding a deep resonance among citizens the length and breadth of this country.

What we need to do now is build that goodwill into an unstoppable momentum for positive change across Ireland.

Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the Easter Rising of 1916.

This is an important date in the history of our nation and will be marked with pride by people throughout the island and among the Irish diaspora.

Sinn Féin is about delivering on the ideals of the 1916 Proclamation.

We believe passionately in an agreed, united Ireland, and a real republic – a citizen-centred, rights-based society.

Today is about laying out the policy platform which can take the next step on that journey.”

Cllr Séamie Morris of Sinn Féin has today called upon Minister for Education Jan O’Sullivan to take up the challenge laid down by Sinn Féin Education Spokesperson Jonathan O’Brien to debate discriminatory enrolment practices operated by most National schools. Many schools operate a religion-based admission policy, even when the schools are funded by the taxpayer.

90% of Irish National Schools are under the control one church, through the patronage model. All of those schools are funded from the public purse, both for staff salaries and for their running costs. Similar exclusion is practised by other denominational schools.

Cllr Morris said: “There can be no justification for discriminating against 4 and 5 year-old Irish children.”

“It comes as a surprise to most right-thinking Irish citizens that their local National school is permitted by law to discriminate against children because of their parent’s religion. But that is the case in Ireland today.”

“Strangely, it’s the Equal Status Act which allows this discrimination. It is referenced when schools are over-subscribed, and sometimes when they are not. This means that in parts of Ireland, children are often excluded from the school at the end of their road. Many parents are baptising their children just to get in to their local school.”

“My colleague Jonathan O’Brien met with parents whose children cannot access school places because they are not baptised. I echo his call on the Minister for Education and Skills to move immediately to repeal the legislation that allows this to take place.”

“This is shameful in 2015. In Dublin in particular, children make a two hour commute across the city to get to Junior Infants because the state permits religious patrons to discriminate against them for being the wrong religion or for having no religion.”

“Sinn Féin is committed to repealing the legislation that allows this discrimination to continue, including Section 7(3)(c) of the Equal Status Act.”

“Any law that permits exclusion of children from attending their local school isn’t a good law.”

“The Minister has responsibility for this, and if our Government cared about equality they would use forthcoming admissions legislation to fix this. Sinn Féin will table amendments to the act.”

“In the meantime, Jonathan O’Brien has requested a debate with the Minister on the issue, and it only remains to be seen whether the Minister has the courage to stand in the Dáil and either defend or justify this discrimination against Irish citizens, by the Irish education system.”

“This discrimination is happening on her watch, so I call on her to debate this human rights issue with Deputy O’Brien.”